Forgot to mention, started with a batch of 1 pound of worms.

Starting at the bottom of the crate:
Put paper bag on the bottom,
then a thin layer of compost,
then food,
then some worms,
then paper bag,
then compost,
then food,
then worms,
then a thicker layer of paper bag for the last top layer.

The food layers were made of food and included 10 eggshells all together.

I figure the eggshells wont decompose fast but just wondering.

I'd hesitate to say there is no limit, I mean worms can't survive in 100% egg shells. But, for a typical worm bin with a typical amount of household egg shells, I don't think you can add too much.

Interesting JerilynnC, Yes I too was thinking I bet they could be in nearly 100% egg shell and survive. Can't add too much. Try keeping a few whole... well half and you might find the worms like the smooth inside. My only concern is do not breath the dust if grinding them. I put mine in a container by the sink unrinsed. When it is full and the eggs are dry I put them in a paper bag and roll a wine bottle over them. Shake and repeat. It is satisfying to hear all the little crunches :-) Then I just toss them bag and all into the system.

I was thinking calcium toxcicity, but I bet if everything else added is enough to 'dilute' the calcium it should be ok.

JerrilynC, may I ask how long you've been active in this forum? I used to be here years ago, and your name rang a big bell for me when I saw it just now! Just curious. I've forgotten the names of the folks I knew back when I first had worms. :)

dowbright: I've been here for only a couple months.

Hooray...

I'd like to start with how you assembled your bin. IMHO, the best investment you can ever make is in a decent paper shredder. Instead of layering your bin with paper bags, you could be using shredded paper bags, or better yet, shredded cardboard. My first (5-sheet) shredder finally bit the dust after more than two years of intensive work shredding cardboard. My new (12-sheet) is making short work of stuff that the last one struggled over.

What I do with eggshells is this: After saving them up for a month or so, I put them into a large aluminum foil pan in the bottom of the oven (after whatever was in there comes out and the oven is still hot). This dries them out really well. Next, I powder them in a blender and then the powder goes into a shaker can. The worms get a liberal dose of this 'grit' whenever I feed. The powder seems to disappear, almost overnight.

Shaul

Thanks, what I did was tear the bags/any other carbon material into 1inch wide by 4inch long strips, and ruffle them up so they dont form an airtight layer, making sure there are airpockets as much as possible within the layer of brown material.

Ive been letting the eggshells dry out, after I use an egg I put them back in the carton, they dry out quickly, and I crunch them by hand. I like the bigger pieces since two people consuming 1 egg per day ends up in a lot of eggs in the worm bin. I try not to eat an egg per day but it comes close to that. I figure not powdering them is a good way to prevent calcium toxicity (if that's even possible in these amounts I don't know, but it can't hurt and ends up being easier for me than a food processor/baking in an oven).